Carson Palmer (2003) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Carson Palmer

Induction:
2003
Class:
2002

After a 21-year drought, Carson Palmer became USC’s fifth Heisman Trophy winner (and the first from the West Coast since 1981), as well as Troy's first quarterback winner ever. A 4-year starter, he set or tied 33 Pac-10 and USC total offense and passing records, including becoming the league's career leader in total offense (11,621 yards) and passing yards (11,818 yards). In 2002, he completed 309-of-489 passes (63.2%) for 3,942 yards and 33 TDs, all USC records. He threw for 300-plus yards in a USC-record 7 games that season, including 3 in a row. He completed at least 60.0% of his passes 9 times. In 2002, the All-American first teamer (USC’s first quarterback to do so since 1988) also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (as the nation’s top senior quarterback), the Pop Warner Award (as the top senior on the West Coast), The National Quarterback Club’s National College Quarterback of the Year Award, the National Player of the Year by The Sporting News and CNNSI.com, the Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year and USC’s MVP and team captain. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021. The Cincinnati Bengals made him the No. 1 overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played 15 years (2003-17) in the NFL with the Bengals, Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. He made the Pro Bowl 3 times. In his NFL career, he threw for 46,247 yards and 294 touchdowns. He became the head football coach at his prep alma mater, Santa Margarita Catholic High School, and won the state championship in his first year (2025).